Press release sent by Cultural Connections on behalf of The Metroplex.
Sundance Film Festival Returning to Hong Kong
(30 April, 2015) Sundance Institute and The Metroplex will present the Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong in September 2015, following the success of the first event last year and again bringing American independent filmmakers and their work to this Asian metropolis.
The Sundance Film Festival – Hong Kong Selects in 2014 was well attended by enthusiastic audiences. The Festival presented a wide range of films, including the Hong Kong premiere of Whiplash, which later received five Academy Award nominations, winning three. The 16 screenings were accompanied by wraparound music and interactive art programs, and many among the audiences have been looking forward to the festival’s return.
The upcoming Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong will take place 17-27 September, covering Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for two consecutive weekends and screen 10 films featured in the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A. Newly added to this year’s festival will be a workshop for young filmmakers and film composers. And to continue last year’s momentum, a great variety of cultural events will be staged, manifesting the independent spirit across art forms.
The Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong will again draw on the two organizers’ strengths: the Sundance Film Festival’s 30-year history of discovery and innovation and The Metroplex’s commitment to supporting film culture, creativity and innovation.
Josephine Lam and Stuart Wang, Directors of The Metroplex, said, “The tremendous success of last year’s festival has proven that Hong Kong embraces the creativity of independent filmmaking. With our goal of supporting the strong emerging independent film culture in Hong Kong, we are excited for the continued collaboration with Sundance Institute on the Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong in 2015. We look forward to working with the Sundance Institute team again to bring a world-class film festival to Hong Kong, and to further stimulate the creativity of young local independent filmmakers and foster the interest of new upcoming talent.”
John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “This event allows us to extend the tremendous energy and excitement of our Sundance Film Festival to adventurous audiences in an international location where these films are less often seen. We look forward to building a program that is special to Hong Kong and, like our centerpiece Festival, is fueled by a spirit of discovery and creativity.”
Program details for the Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong will be announced in the next few months, via the festival website hk.sundance.org and other channels.
About The Metroplex
In 2014 The Metroplex opened its doors to the public as a state-of-the-art 9 screen multiplex at the heart of Eastern Kowloon. The Metroplex is a wholly owned by Hopewell Holdings Limited. Located in the iconic Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, KITEC is an investment property of Hopewell Holdings Limited, where many major international concerts have debuted for the first time in Hong Kong at the widely popular event venue Star Hall. Utilizing the Group’s vast experience in operating large scale venues, Hopewell hopes to bridge the gap between film and music in creating cross-over events and festivals to provide never before seen cross-platform entertainment within one venue.
The Metroplex is a self-operated independent cinema showing a wide range of films from Hollywood blockbusters, international award-winning pictures, film festivals, local, specialty and independent films in its 9 silver screens, the vast array of diverse film content will fit the likes of the most discerning audience. Moreover, being located in one of Hopewell’s investment properties KITEC, The Metroplex has the flexibility in cross platform entertainment such as film/music festivals, live streaming, concerts & shows, multi-media conferences, and many other events of similar genre. For more details, please visit www.metroplex.com.hk.
About Sundance Institute
Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to create and thrive. The Institute’s signature Labs, granting, and mentorship programs, dedicated to developing new work, take place throughout the year in the U.S. and internationally. The Sundance Film Festival and other public programs connect audiences to artists in igniting new ideas, discovering original voices, and building a community dedicated to independent storytelling. Sundance Institute has supported such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, The Invisible War, The Square, Dirty Wars, Spring Awakening, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Fun Home. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.